A busy, characterful Haymarket brunch cafe with genuinely appealing breakfast dishes and pastries, but service consistency and cleanliness complaints are serious enough that timing and expectations matter.
Coates Cafe delivers solid food quality anchored by standout eggs, porridge, and pastries, but inconsistency across visits—from excellent breakfasts to burnt coffee and cold plates—prevents a stronger grade. Service polarizes between warm and dismissive, while the Haymarket location offers convenient neighborhood appeal rather than destination draw.
Coates Cafe feels like a classic Haymarket breakfast stop with a real personality: cosy seating, a pretty interior, strong coffee, and a menu that leans into hearty brunch comfort. On its best days, reviewers sound genuinely smitten, describing fresh food, kind service, and standout dishes like Turkish eggs, porridge, and warm pastries. On its worst days, though, the same room becomes a frustrating wait-and-wonder situation, with complaints about missed orders, slow delivery, and a space that is not always cleaned to the standard people expect. The cooking is best understood as dependable brunch comfort rather than culinary fireworks. Think eggs, pancakes, porridge, croissants, soups, sandwiches, and a few more distinctive touches like chickpea flour pancakes and vegan breakfast plates. That makes it appealing for people who want a relaxed breakfast or a decent coffee stop near the station, but less ideal for diners who want precision, speed, or a polished full-service experience every time. For families, the menu is workable: there are pancakes, croissants, porridge, toast, eggs, and sandwiches that children would actually eat. The vegan and gluten-free options are a bonus, but this is still more of a casual cafe than a dedicated kids' destination. If your child is picky, the safer bets are plain pancakes, porridge, toast, or a simple croissant; adventurous dishes like Turkish eggs or the chickpea pancake are better for older or more curious eaters.
Area vibe: Busy transport-oriented area near Haymarket station with mixed commercial and civic uses.
Safety: Generally safe with steady foot traffic and good lighting, busier during day and early evening.
What's nearby: Close to Haymarket Station, tram stops, conference hotels, and the West End bars and restaurants.